Executive Director / State Child Advocate

Executive Director / State Child Advocate

This position serves as the Executive Director (“State Child Advocate”) of the Department of Children’s Advocacy. The Department has broad oversight responsibilities for the provision of services and programs to children in South Carolina. The Department is responsible for ensuring that children receive adequate protection and care from services or programs offered by nine state agencies that serve children.

The State Child Advocate Is Responsible For The Following

Leadership & Administration: Oversee the administration of the Department of Children’s Advocacy and provide strategic direction for over 200 full time employees of the Department of Children’s Advocacy.

Monitor & Investigate Complaints: Provide oversight and administration to the successful operation of an Investigations Unit.

Review & Investigate Critical Incidents: Oversee and administer a Critical Investigations Unit toreceive, monitor and track critical incidents, as defined by state law.

Education: Educate the public regarding the services and the independent role of the department and the mission of state agencies in providing services to children and families.

Annual Reporting: Report annually on the activities of the State Child Advocate.

Guardian ad Litem: Oversee the management of the Guardian ad Litem program which recruits, trains, and supervises volunteers who advocate for abused/neglected children in South Carolina.

Foster Care Review Division: Oversee the management of the Foster Care Review Division, which provides administrative support regarding the external accountability for the foster care review system through local volunteer foster care review boards and the State Foster Care Review Board.

Continuum of Care: Manage the Continuum of Care (COC) which serves youth with serious emotional or behavioral health diagnoses whose families need help in keeping them in their home, school and community.

Information and Data Analysis: Review various sources of data to ensure programs and services administered by the Department are managed in an effective manner and promote transparency.

Additional Job Responsibilities

• Responsible for developing and promoting a broad vision of reform and for making recommendations for system improvement to the General Assembly, Governor, and Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children.
• Represent the agency at press conferences, cabinet meetings, public hearings, and other forums.
• By state law, the Agency Head is a member of the State Child Fatality Advisory Committee and the Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children (newly added in 2023).
• The Agency is also responsible for housing the Child Abuse Response Protocol (newly added in 2022), and the State Child Advocate is the contact person for the agency regarding the protocol.

In accordance with the rules governing salaries for agency heads covered by the Agency Head Salary Commission, the initial hiring salary for this position will be the minimum of the pay range for this position which is currently $127,820 . Salary increase above this amount may be provided based on credentials and experience contingent upon recommendation of the Governor and approval of the Agency Head Salary Commission.

Minimum And Additional Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree
• Licensed in SC and in good standing with the S.C. Bar
• 10 years of experience in family or children’s law, children’s social work, or children’s health and welfare.
• Management and administrative experience

Additional Requirements

• A thorough understanding of the unique role, scope and responsibilities of the Department of Children’s Advocacy within South Carolina state government. Knowledge of policies, procedures, laws, rules and regulations related to functions of the office. Knowledge of the theories, practices and principles of effective management.

Additional Comments

The South Carolina Department of Children’s Advocacy offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:

• Health, dental, vision, long term disability, and life insurance for employee, spouse, and children
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs

The South Carolina Department of Children’s Advocacy is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.